Nation

Ministry not satisfied with The Star’s explanation

PETALING JAYA: The Home Ministry is not satisfied with the explanation from The Star over the picture of Erykah Badu with tattoos with the word “Allah” in Arabic on her body.

In a statement yesterday, the newspaper was directed to submit to the ministry its recommendations for sterner action to ensure that the mistakes do not recur and to serve as a deterrent in the future.

“The ministry wishes to advise The Star and all media organisations to take preventive', corrective' and informative' form of action to prevent the publication of content that may touch on the country's multi-racial and multi-religious sensitivities of the communities,” it said.

The Star suspended two editors over the publication of the photograph. On Feb 28, the newspaper received a show-cause letter from the ministry, giving it seven days to reply. The Star issued an apology via its online news portal and Twitter the same day.

The newspaper's managing editor, chief news editor and senior editor were called up by the ministry to explain the use of the photograph.

The newspaper also published another apology in its print version, saying the photograph was inadvertently published in Star2.

The Star, in its apology, said it deeply regretted any offence it caused to Muslims.